New Zealand will ban disposable vapes, fines up to $100,000

According to a report by New Zealand media, the New Zealand government will ban the sale of disposable vapes. Besides, they will impose stricter fines on merchants who sell vapes to minors. This policy is planned to be fully implemented before the end of the year.

The most strict penalty for disposable vape selling in New Zealand

It is part of Deputy Health Minister Casey Costello’s response to the vape governance challenge. It aims to promote vapes as a smoking cessation tool and minimize the use of vaping products by minors.

New Zealand Associate Health Minister Casey Costello. Photo / Mark Mitchell 

Costello says in a statement that she will amend the Smokefree Environments and Regulated Products Act to ban the production and sale of disposable vapes.

She says: “Reusable vapes are a key smoking cessation device and will remain available. But too many teenagers continue to use disposable vapes. They’re cheap and remain too easy to get, despite changes under the previous Government. That’s why these cheap, single use vape products will be banned outright.”

What’s more, the maximum fine for those found selling vapes or other regulated products to anyone under the age of 18 will increase from $10,000 to $100,000.

While the $100,000 fine will need to go through the courts to be applied, such retailers will be immediately subject to financial penalties. The fine will be $500 to $1,000 for individuals and up to $2,000 for businesses.

The Cabinet agrees to stricter restrictions on vape retailing.

The cabinet agrees to stricter restrictions on the display and staffing of vape retail stores. And, it asks lawmakers to conduct targeted consultations on the proposals. Additionally, licensing and compliance systems for vapes will also be reviewed. That’s to ensure penalties for sales to people under 18 are enforced.

The Cabinet also agreed to abide by Labor’s rules that came into effect this week. These rules include a ban on printing images of cartoons or toys on vape product packaging and limiting flavor names to generic descriptions.

Currently, the New Zealand Government has postponed some necessary changes related to the child-safety features of reusable vapes until October 1. That’s to ensure there is sufficient choice on the market.

Influence to the vape manufacturers from China.

Since New Zealand banned disposable vapes, most Chinese vape manufacturers have started to change.

VPFIT, one of the best vape brands, has started to push its reusable vapes to the New Zealand market. They have refillable pod vapes like VPFIT Insbar and rechargeable vapes like VPFIT Hexbar. These devices are all reusable vaping products and comply with regulations.

For those vape companies that mainly focus on disposable vapes in the New Zealand market, they will need to change soon. It is better to launch reusable devices on the market as soon as possible.

Next news: HMRC launches “digital channels” to enforce new vape tax